New Promo Video - Whatcha Think?

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/26/2009 12:52:04 PM · #1

So last week I posted a photographer's promo video that I liked and several of you commented about what worked for you and what didn't. Keeping those comments in mind, I started working on my studio promo. With some additional advice from friends and about 7 days of work, I think its finally ready to show (and see if its gonna fly). Please, lemme know what you like / don't like so I can continue to refine this project.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wachr5oI7k4

Thanks in advance.
Cindi

Valdo

Canon EOS-40D

09/26/2009 12:58:05 PM · #2

Hi Cindi, I think it is very nice and professionally done. It shows you put a lot of effort.

Without knowing how are you planning to use the video, I think it is a bit lengthy, at least for my short attention span :¬) apart from that it looks fab. But if it will be in a constant loop at you office it works very well I think.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

09/26/2009 01:06:01 PM · #3

I like it, I think you did well..

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

09/26/2009 01:10:09 PM · #4

Originally posted by Valdo:

Oh, guess I should have mentioned intended use... I plan to show it to potential brides via the web and here in the office (via LCD projector) while doing consultations. It will (hopefully) be just another layer in the promotional scheme to keep them thinking about us. I like the idea of it running on a loop on one of the video picture frames in the showing area - but think I'd have to do that without music or it would drive me insane hearing it over and over for days on end. lol

Ivo

09/26/2009 01:15:26 PM · #5

I think its a great concept certainly innovative .... to a point. Granted, the images are exceptional and the scope of your work is admirable. The question is, who am I hiring? There is an essential component that is missing and that is "You". Let's face it, there are a whole heap of people out there with great cameras and great vision but there is only one you. I'd say the way to make this really effective is to integrate you "in action" and also some of your mannerisms into the video. Ask yourself this, do they hire my camera or do they hire me operating my camera. So far, you've spotlighted what your camera can do and completely overlooked you. from the forums, I recognize you have an engaging personality and can create friendships quite easily. I cannot see that in the video and I'll tell you, it would be a big consideration if I was hiring a photographer to shoot my wedding all day.

An example is Peter Marlin, Pedro. The man knows how to work a room. I've shot several projects with him and he is rehired and referred, in my opinion, for that reason alone. Yeah his work is good but his crowd persona is 20 times better. This is what you market and then support it with great images.

For goodness sake, you can use the built in camera in your mobile phone for a cool effect. ;-) Hope that helps and please see it for the help intended. Good luck!

see

Canon PowerShot S95

09/26/2009 01:30:09 PM · #6

I just noticed on your comments on the right "available world wide", Limiting your clientele like that only hurts your business, Martians are people too�;p

rider

Canon EOS-7D

09/26/2009 01:44:17 PM · #7

agree with ivo need some shots of you at work in there!!!

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/26/2009 01:48:00 PM · #8

Originally posted by alans_world:

I just noticed on your comments on the right "available world wide", Limiting your clientele like that only hurts your business, Martians are people too�;p

LMAO Good point! ;D

Ivo, your comment got me thinking. I like the idea of a personal interview-type video to run somewhere during the presentation - maybe at the end. I agree that the photographer has to sell themselves, a skill I think I display well when face-to-face with clients, but I totally see your point about incorporating that when and wherever I can. I have a small, but adequate video camera ... will see what I can do. :)

Ivo

09/26/2009 01:59:28 PM · #9

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by alans_world:
I just noticed on your comments on the right "available world wide", Limiting your clientele like that only hurts your business, Martians are people too�;p

LMAO Good point! ;D

Ivo, your comment got me thinking. I like the idea of a personal interview-type video to run somewhere during the presentation - maybe at the end. I agree that the photographer has to sell themselves, a skill I think I display well when face-to-face with clients, but I totally see your point about incorporating that when and wherever I can. I have a small, but adequate video camera ... will see what I can do. :)

I keep thinking of the Zack Ariasvideo. Brilliant and offers an insight into who he is. I don't even know if any of his photos are really spotlighted but I'd hire him in a second.

Glad to hear you took my comments well. :-)

johst582

Nikon D80

09/26/2009 03:56:09 PM · #10

Very nice! - but: don't skip the good old still-photo slideshow (or photoblog) on your website. Stills allow the customer to more quickly skip through to their favourites, print out a few to show their friends - and even in "HQ"-mode YouTube doesn't match the quality of still JPEGs in reasonable web-size. Don't take me wrong, I like the video - as long as it is the "extra" that make you stand out above the rest. Video is more immersive than stills, and I think that it will appeal to many brides to be :)

Regarding the video, the only thing that annoys me is that the blown up backgrounds sometimes are rather pixely unsharp. Either insert them at full resolution to show off the sharpness of your photos - or blur them with a proper blur rather than letting the video software interpolate between pixels.

09/26/2009 05:37:31 PM · #11

Mkay, working on the interview part.... but editing isn't easy. Will be a while before its cool enough. lol

Johon, I will have a look at those bg images, it IS the software that's causing the pixelization, but I can probably work around that if i put my mind to it. And yeah, this video will be a supporting piece, not meant to replace standard jpg galleries for the clients to peruse at their leisure. Thanks for the advice :)

Message edited by author 2009-09-26 17:41:12.